Group may be ‘looking for dogs to steal’, says local dog charity

A Swindon-based dog rescue charity is warning people to watch out for a group of Irish men and women who may be ‘casing houses looking for dogs to steal’.

A number of residents in Gorse Hill, Penhill and Pinehurst have taken to social media to express their concerns about people coming to their houses to sell kitchen knives; the incidents have also been reported to Wiltshire Police, who are said to be investigating.

SNDogs is warning residents to ‘think twice’ about leaving your dogs in the garden while they are unattended while this group are operating the area.

A spokesperson for the charity said: The occupants [of a white van] are apparently selling knives door to door. However, many people are concerned they are casing houses for dogs.

“I would not think about letting them in, even when they politely ask for water, and, think twice about leaving your dogs unattended in gardens with external access.”